WRIF: 50 Years Rockin’ The Motor City
• Beasley Media Group unveiled details of 101 WRIF/Detroit‘s gala 50th Anniversary Celebration — this Sunday, February 14, marks the exact half-century anniversary of the station’s launch in 1971, when WXYZ changed call letters to WRIF, giving birth to the Motor City’s preeminent Active Rock station.
Detroit’s own hometown rock legend Bob Seger weighed in on this major radio milestone, as he said, “Not many stations reach the stature and influence that have defined WRIF for generations. For us, when WRIF added our records it was like a force of nature. When they got behind your record, other stations around the country would follow suit. They are like a rock ‘n roll bellwether.” Seger added, “But most importantly, are all the talented people, both on and off the air, who we have had the privilege of working with, many of whom have become lifelong friends. Great times, and lots of memories we will treasure forever.”
In conjunction with this landmark anniversary, 101 WRIF has launched a week-long celebration that culminates this Friday, February 12 with the kick-off of the “Riff Legends Weekend,” starting with a special broadcast of Dave & Chuck The Freak featuring their favorite WRIF moments. Throughout the day, WRIF will also welcome back some of its legendary personalities, including Ken Calvert, Steve Kostan, Jim Johnson, and George Baier, as various celebrities call in to wish the station a Happy 50th.
Friday evening wraps up with a “Best Of Drew & Mike” feature looking back at some of the show’s greatest moments from their 22 years in morning drive on WRIF. The special programming continues throughout the weekend with vignettes highlighting many of WRIF’s iconic on-air personalities, like Arthur Penhallow, Karen Savelly and many others, as members of Shinedown, Halestorm, and Seether will be taking turns as guests DJs. The weekend will also feature a Riff At 50 Playlist incorporating listener favorites from over the past 50 years.
“Very few brands can be ‘legendary’ and ‘cutting-edge’ at the same time — but The Riff is both, while reflecting the strength and grit of Detroit Rock City through and through,” said Mac Edwards, VP/Market Manager of Beasley Detroit. “It’s quite the honor for our team to be entrusted as caretakers of these call letters, with a nod of respect and appreciation to the likes Tom Bender, Allen Shaw, Fred Jacobs, the late Dick Kernen, and all the iconic personalities who made and make WRIF must-listen-radio for 50 years!”
Scott Jameson, Beasley VP of National Content and Detroit Director of Programming, remarked, “WRIF has a deep connection to the city of Detroit, and while this milestone salutes the rich history of a legendary brand, its ongoing influencer status embraces the future of rock radio in the Motor City.”
